The off-season continues on with NHL teams keeping busy, but minor league, European, collegiate and junior clubs continue to make moves in preparation for next season and in some cases in reaction to a season that has already begun. With many moving parts at every level, especially as the world continues to deal with the Coronavirus, transactions continue to be frequent. Here are some of today’s notable moves:
- Carson Meyer has never known anything but Ohio hockey and that is set to continue as he begins his pro career. The Powell, OH native who attended Miami University and transferred to Ohio State University and was drafted by the Columbus Blue Jackets has signed with their AHL affiliate, the Cleveland Monsters. The club announced that Meyer has inked a one-year AHL contract. Meyer, 23, finished his NCAA career in style with a career campaign that included a near point-per-game scoring pace. The scoring forward could make an immediate impact in the minors next season.
- Veteran minor league Phil Varone is leaving North America for the first time in his hockey career. The 29-year-old, who has 97 NHL games and over 500 AHL games on his resume, is headed to the KHL. Agent Aljosa Pilko announced that his client has signed with a team in the league. It is believed that he is bound for Barys Nur-Sultan in Kazakhstan. Varone split this past season with the Laval Rocket and Wilkes-Barre/Scranton Penguins and has suited up for five different AHL squads in his nine pro seasons.
- Former Montreal Canadiens prospect Cole Fonstad is not waiting for the WHL season to begin. His hometown team, the SJHL’s Estevan Bruins, announced that Fonstad has joined the club for the time being. Fonstad will re-join the Everett Silvertips once WHL training camp begins. In the meantime, the fifth-round pick who has logged 65+ points in each of the past three seasons will be make a massive impact for Estevan. He hopes to prove this season that he is worth an entry-level contract when he ages out of junior.